Trees need protection during winter

Saturday

Nov 24, 2012 at 2:00 AM

As the colder air begins to set in, many Seacoast residents may prepare for winter with a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Your landscaping isn't so lucky. Trees and shrubs are forced to endure the unpredictable winter weather, including snow and ice storms, extreme temperatures and fierce winds. This is enough to stress even the healthiest greenery.

As the colder air begins to set in, many Seacoast residents may prepare for winter with a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Your landscaping isn't so lucky. Trees and shrubs are forced to endure the unpredictable winter weather, including snow and ice storms, extreme temperatures and fierce winds. This is enough to stress even the healthiest greenery.

But your trees are not defenseless. There are many things you can do to help get them ready for the winter and ensure their safety and health throughout the season. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Maintenance

Fall pruning can help winterize your landscaping if done properly and at the right time. Remove any limbs that may be dead or weak, especially any branches near your home that could snap under heavy snow and ice. Large limbs with narrow crotch angles should be removed or braced with cables. They are best removed entirely or pruned severely to reduce weight when they hang over a house or threaten human life.

Give your trees and shrubs a deep soaking in the late fall before the ground freezes. This will ensure the water reaches the roots and will help them prepare for the dormant season. Protect the roots. Frozen ground makes it hard for trees to absorb water, and wind can make the problem even worse. Apply a layer of mulch about two to three inches thick around the base. This will help prevent frost from getting into the roots and make it easier for trees to get the water they need. It's important to keep mulch away from the base of the tree.

Cover

In severe locations, protect your shrubs with burlap or canvas. In particular, salt spray from highly trafficked streets can be very damaging to your trees and shrubs.

To make a protective barrier, drive four stakes into the ground around the plant and wrap the burlap around them. This will help minimize salt spray, wind damage and extreme drying. Be sure to leave space at the top so the plant will still get the light it needs.

If you have shrubs under the eaves of your house, place wooden tepees over them to protect against snow falling off the roof.

Anti-desiccants

Evergreen trees and shrubs maintain foliage throughout the winter months as they continue to lose moisture. With temperature fluctuations, moisture loss and frozen ground, transpiration — a process similar to evaporation — occurs from the needles and leaves, increasing the demand for water. If the roots cannot keep up with this demand, the needles and leaves start to turn brown and die.

Winter burn, or desiccation, is a dehydration of the plant due to water loss from the leaves through transpiration. This is caused by long, dry periods of cold and thaw along with winter winds. Some broadleaf evergreens, such as holly, rhododendron, mountain laurel, leucothoe and boxwood, are even more susceptible to winter drying and long-term damage.

Avoid winter damage to plants by applying an anti-desiccant spray to the upper and lower parts of the foliage before the temperature drops below freezing or during a winter thaw.

Pests

Winter can be hard for animals, too. Deer, mice, rabbits and squirrels can all cause a lot of damage. Use wire mesh guard around tree trunks wherever possible.

Also, when mulching, be sure to leave a little space around the trunk of the tree to discourage mice from gnawing on the bark.

Check your trees occasionally for damage.

Year-round tips

What you do throughout the growing season can have a big effect on how trees and shrubs survive the winter.

Choose the right trees and shrubs. When making a new addition to your property, be sure to select a species that is native to your hardiness zone. This will make it easier for your plant to survive the stress of cold winters. Care for trees and shrubs all year long. Maintaining your property throughout the year can be the best defense against winter conditions. This includes keeping up with mulching, watering, fertilizing and pruning. Trees and shrubs that are healthy and well cared for will manage the changing seasons much better than those that are not. Take inventory. In the spring, do a check for any trees or shrubs that may have been damaged over the winter. Be sure to treat any problems right away.

Dan Mello is a certified arborist and owner of Seacoast Tree Care LLC. His team provides expert prevention and maintenance of all tree and shrub species. For information, visit www.seacoasttreecare.com.

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